Thousands throw support behind French family fighting to stay in the country – Stuff

Glenn Taylor/Stuff

Julien Debord, his wife Sophie and their children Lisa, 10, and Thibaut, 12, would like to stay in New Zealand. (File photo)

A French family is waiting to hear if they can remain in New Zealand after being told their business didnt perform as expected during the pandemic.

Last month Julien Debord, his wife Sophie and their two young children were told by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that they wouldnt get visas because their business, Cafe Tennyson, hadnt met revenue and staff targets set before the pandemic.

In late 2020 Julien Debord applied for entrepreneur resident visas for the family.

Hes spent the past 16 months providing information, accounts and forms to satisfy numerous requests from Immigration. These included a supportive letter from Napier MP Stuart Nash, who proffered his strong support for the family and business.

READ MORE:* French family running popular Napier cafe told they won't get visa * Immigration medical certificate no longer required before submitting resident visa application* SailGP proposed saving NZ round with privately-run MIQ or self-isolation

INZ said it couldnt be satisfied the family met the requirements and told the Debords they had until March 21 to provide further comments or information.

Debord responded. On Friday INZ general manager border and visa operations Nicola Hogg said no decision had been made, but they were looking to make [one] as quickly as possible.

SUPPLIED

Green MP Dr. Elizabeth Kerekere, Napier resident Kathryn McGarvey, and Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise with the petition started by McGarvey in support of the Debord family.

Following news of the familys plight in early March, local woman Kathryn McGarvey began a petition. It was signed by 7308 people by Saturday and was passed to Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere, who will present it to the House of Representatives next week.

Debord said the family had been surprised by the support they had received since their story became public.

We have been crazy busy in the past two weeks with people wanting to support us. When I heard of the petition I thought if we were lucky maybe 500 people would sign... 7300 was a surprise.

The petition calls on Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi and Associate Immigration Minister Phil Twyford to grant or extend the family's visa and to update the criteria for the granting of the entrepreneur resident visa, taking into account the unprecedented difficulties of operating a business under Covid conditions.

RICKY WILSON/STUFF

Associate Immigration Minister Phil Twyford, pictured, has been asked by Napier MP Stuart Nash to use his Special Ministerial Direction in the Debord case. (File photo)

Joining Nash in providing letters supporting the family are Napier mayor Kirsten Wise, National MP for Taup Louise Upston, and Napier City Business Incorporated general manager Pip Thompson.

Thompson said the Debords had made the caf an institution bustling daily with local business people, families, and visitors.

STUFF

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announces thousands of migrants on temporary work visas would be fast-tracked for residency after a major immigration policy shift. (First published on September 30.)

Once the rules relax and domestic travel becomes more comfortable, international borders open, and we welcome cruise ships passengers to our iconic Art Deco city, we absolutely need cafs like the Debords to be open and trading, Thompson said

McGarvey said Julien and Sophie are kind, friendly, and hard-working people, and we only ask that they are given a fair go.

Go here to read the rest:

Thousands throw support behind French family fighting to stay in the country - Stuff